Ghost Dance movement

Definition

A religious movement incorporated into numerous Native American belief systems that arose in response to oppressive U.S policies towards Native Americans during late 19th century.

Analogy

Imagine if your favorite band was banned from playing music because it threatened those in power; you'd probably still find ways to listen to their songs secretly or even create new ones inspired by them - this is similar to how Native Americans kept their culture alive through movements like Ghost Dance despite oppression.

Related terms

Wovoka (Jack Wilson): The Paiute religious leader who founded the Ghost Dance movement after a prophetic vision during a solar eclipse.

Dawes Act: An act passed by Congress aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream US society by breaking up tribal lands and allotting them to individual Native American families.

Pine Ridge Reservation: A reservation in South Dakota where the Wounded Knee Massacre, a tragic event linked to the Ghost Dance movement, took place.